Time:
The exercises in this module will take about 25 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 40 minutes to complete this module.

Aims:
• To have a clear definition of networking.
• To provide some simple hints and tips for networking.

Group Size:
This module is suitable for use with groups of up to 25 participants.

Useful For:
Staff at all levels.

You'll Need:
Nothing other than the materials provided.

Notes:
When running this module we strongly recommend that before the session commences you unobtrusively observe the participants as they mingle and take their seats to see how much interaction and dialogue takes place. It is helpful to assess how well participants know each other already.

Time:
The exercise in this module will take about 15 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 20 minutes to complete this module.

Aims:
• To raise awareness of different networking opportunities.

Group Size:
This module is suitable for use with groups of up to 25 participants.

Useful For:
Staff at all levels.

You'll Need:
Nothing other than the materials provided.

Notes:
This is a useful follow on to A Brief Introduction to Networking.

Time:
The exercise in this module can be completed in about 25 minutes. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing about 35 minutes for this module.

Aims:
• To enable participants to consider the value and difficulty caused by organisational politics and political games.
• To create an understanding that managers cannot avoid politics, so need to know the games in which they may – deliberately or inadvertently – be playing.

Group Size:
This module is suitable for use with larger groups of up to almost any size. It tends not to work well with very small groups.

Useful For:
All managers, but particularly those who are new to management and may not understand the political nature of organisations, including their own.

You'll Need:
• Post-it notes, flipchart paper, scribble paper, pens and marker pens for each team.

Notes:
This module works best if you set up the room ‘cabaret style’ – that is with table teams of between 4 and 8 people per table.

This is the first in a series of three modules examining power and politics. It can be used on its own as a short session or with the other two to form a complete half day programme.

Politics is often seen as a ‘dirty word’ by many people, or as one in which they have no interest. The purpose of this module is for the participants to recognise that divorcing themselves from politics is a decision that could affect them adversely – and is, in itself, a political act. To influence the direction an organisation is taking means people taking part in politics.

Remote/Virtual Delivery:
There is a Remote Delivery version of this module available in Trainers’ Library.

Time:
The exercise in this module can be completed in about 25 minutes. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing about 50 minutes for this module.

Aims:
• To enable participants to understand that the words power and influence are, essentially, interchangeable.
• To help participants understand that power is an asset that can be used to help deliver positive change.
• To help participants understand that there are many sources of power and where their own power to influence comes from.

Group Size:
This module is suitable for use with larger groups of almost any size. It tends not to work well with very small groups.

Useful For:
All managers, but particularly those who are new to management and may not understand that power comes from many different sources, not just authority.

You'll Need:
• The Activity Link and your PIN from the My Account section of the member homepage.

Notes:
This is part two of three modules looking at influence, politics and power. It can be run on its own or combined with the other two modules to make a complete half day programme.

If you do not have an internet connection in your training room, we’ve included the transcript of the story (Handout 2).

Remote/Virtual Delivery:
There is a Remote Delivery version of this module available in Trainers’ Library.

Time:
The exercise in this module can be completed in about 50 minutes. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing about 80 minutes for this module.

Aims:
• To allow participants the opportunity to identify their own sources of power, to know which they need to develop and to have an action plan for doing this.

Group Size:
This module is suitable for use with groups of up to about 20 participants.

Useful For:
All managers but especially those who are new to the management role and may feel that they have little power of their own to allow them to accomplish results.

You'll Need:
Nothing other than the materials provided.

Notes:
This module is the third in a series looking at influence, power and politics. Whilst this module can be run on its on, it will have more effect if used as a follow on to the work done in Influence 2 - Sources of Power.

If you are running this module on its own and not as a follow-on, you will find it helpful to have looked at the five power sources identified in the Influence 2 - Sources of Power module before you begin.

Remote/Virtual Delivery:
There is a Remote Delivery version of this module available in Trainers’ Library.

Time:
The exercises in this module will take about 20 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 30 minutes to complete this module.

Aims:
• To build awareness of basic networking skills.
• To provide a model that will help participants get the most from their networking opportunities.
• To provide an opportunity for participants to practise their networking skills.

Group Size:
This module is suitable for use with groups of any size.

Useful For:
Staff at all levels.

You'll Need:
One whole postcard per participant, plus a few spare ones. Select postcards with a variety of images: Countryside, coastal, historic buildings, modes of transport, animals etc.

Notes:
This module is a useful icebreaker for any networking event. It can also be used as an ideal follow-on to 'A Brief Introduction to Networking'.

Time:
This exercise will take about 15 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 20 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To identify the things they have in common with the other members of the group.
• To understand how finding connections influences their feelings about other people.

Group Size:
Suitable for use with groups of almost any size.

You'll Need:
• A copy of the handout for each participant and a roll of Sellotape for each team.
• A small prize is optional.

Notes:
This is a great exercise to get people talking and could be run over lunch at a networking event.

Time:
This exercise will take about 15 minutes to run. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 20 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To help participants learn something about their fellow participants, including something about what is important to them.

Group Size:
This module can be used with groups of any size. Larger groups will mean longer running times.

You'll Need:
Nothing.

Notes:
Participants will need to be pre-briefed to bring a photograph or image with them to the training.

Time:
This exercise will take about 10 minutes to run. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 15 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To help participants identify things they have in common with one another.
• To show the benefits of building rapport to create effective working relationships.

Group Size:
This module is suitable for use with groups of almost any size.

You'll Need:
• Bingo cards. (We've provided some.)
• A small prize for the winning participant is a nice touch, but not essential.

Notes:
We have provided pre-prepared bingo cards, but feel free to adapt them to meet the specific needs of your participants.

Time:
This exercise will take about 20 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing about 25 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To explore the different experiences of customer service of fellow participants.
• To understand the impact good and bad customer service has on individuals.
• To understand the impact building rapport has on customers.

Group Size:
This module can be used with groups of up to 20 participants.

You'll Need:
• Nothing other than the materials provided.

Time:
This exercise will take about 20 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing about 25 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To help participants identify things they have in common with others in the room.

Group Size:
This module can be used with groups of up to 20 participants.

You'll Need:
• Nothing other than the materials provided.

Time:
This exercise will take about 15 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 25 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To provide an opportunity for participants to share good and bad experiences.
• To gather real-life examples that can be referred to throughout the training.

Group Size:
This module is suitable for use with groups of up to 20 participants.

You'll Need:
• Nothing other than the materials provided.

Notes:
Our thanks to Buffy Sparks for her help in writing this icebreaker.

Time:
This exercise will take about 10 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing about 15 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To understand the interests and priorities of fellow participants.
• To identify the benefits of getting to know those we interact with at work.

Group Size:
This module can be used with groups of up to 20 participants.

You'll Need:
• Nothing other than the materials provided.

Notes:
Running times will increase with larger groups.

Time:
This exercise will take about 10 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 20 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To introduce participants to one another.
• To practice and test listening skills.

Group Size:
This module can be used with groups of any size.

Useful For:
Staff at all levels.

You'll Need:
• Nothing other than the materials provided.

Notes:
A very simple but engaging icebreaker.

This can be used in any situation to introduce participants, but is particularly useful where you want to focus on networking or communication skills.

It’s also a very effective way to introduce the concept of experiential training in train the trainer training. Participants should be able to see that getting involved in an experience makes the learning (in this case around communication) stick in a way that they wouldn’t gain from simply being told about, for example, the benefits of summary and clarification.

Time:
This exercise will take about 25 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 30 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To encourage participants to share information about themselves.
• To build rapport among participants.
• To start to identify core communication skills.
• To explore the use of the communication loop.

Group Size:
This module is suitable for use with groups of up to 25 participants.

You'll Need:
• You might find it useful to pre-prepare a flipchart with the questions participants will be answering written on it.

Notes:
This exercise takes longer to run with larger groups.

Time:
This exercise will take about 15 minutes to run. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 20 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To encourage networking.
• To illustrate that getting to know what matters to others is a great way of building rapport.

Group Size:
This module is suitable for use with groups of up to 24 participants.

You'll Need:
Music, of your choice to play during the exercise.

Notes:
Remember to ensure that you have the appropriate PRS and PPL licences to use music during training.

Time:
The exercise in this module will take about 15 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 20 minutes to complete this module.

Aims:
• To encourage participants to share information about themselves.
• To build rapport among participants.

Group Size:
This module is suitable for use with groups of up to 15 participants.

You'll Need:
• Nothing other than the materials provided.

Time:
This exercise will take about 15 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 20 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To enable participants to introduce each other by sharing their personal motto.

Group Size:
This module can be used with groups of up to 15 participants.

You'll Need:
• Enough personal motto cards for your participants to have plenty of options to pick from.

Notes:
If using this exercise with very large groups, you will need to split participants into smaller teams to pick and then share their mottos.

Time:
This exercise will take about 15 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing about 25 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To encourage participants to find things they have in common.
• To consider the impact on relationships of finding common ground.

Group Size:
This module is suitable for use with groups of almost any size.

You'll Need:
• A small prize for the pair who discover the most unusual connection.

Notes:
A great way to open an induction programme.

Time:
This exercise will take about 20 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 25 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To help participants get to know each other.
• To encourage participants share something with the group to help build rapport.
• To encourage participants to think about how they feel about the event they’re attending.

Group Size:
This module can be used with groups of any size.

You'll Need:
• A balloon and a small square of paper for each participant.

Notes:
If using this exercise in small groups, the balloons should all be the same shape and colour.

Time:
This exercise will take about 15 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 20 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To identify the things that we have in common with the rest of the group.
• Explain how finding connections can help to break down barriers and build relationships more quickly.

Group Size:
Can be used with groups of up to 24 participants.

Useful For:
Staff at all levels.

You'll Need:
• Nothing other than the materials provided.

Notes:
This is a great exercise to get people talking and identify how we can all connect quickly and easily.

The activity can be run with very large groups, but you would need to increase the timings.

Remote/Virtual Delivery:
There is a Remote Delivery version of this icebreaker available in Trainers’ Library.

Article Overview:
In this article, Sandra Beale provides her top tips for effective networking.

Opening Words:
1. Recognise the importance of networking.
Ask any successful business person and they will tell you that above all else networking skills are absolutely vital to growing your business. Networking can increase your market share, help you gain new ideas, provide work and give new perspectives on life and business. Speaking to one person can potentially give you access to over 200 clients and suppliers.

Useful Reading For:
Anyone who wants to get the most from their networking opportunities.

Article Overview:
Here's an article I wish I'd seen 10 years ago - it might have help me avoid some of the pitfalls I fell into!

Anecdotal evidence suggests that there is a lot of fluidity within the training industry at the moment, with many people considering becoming self-employed consultants at the same time (and conversely many returning to 'regular' employment).

If you've ever wondered about becoming a freelance trainer, this article really does provide some great advice and tips.

Opening Words:
1. The importance of having a business model.
For example, do you want to work as an associate only, direct only or a mixture of both? How much money do you need to earn to pay the bills? How many delivery days are realistically available once you take out time for holidays, marketing, networking, admin, self development, planning and preparation of course materials? What do you need to charge to ensure you get this? And is it realistic?

Knowing the answers to these questions right from the start saves a lot of heartache later on.

2. It is incredibly easy to waste money when you first start out.
Business cards, graphics, website, search engine ranking expert, brochures, networking events, business coaching – must haves or nice-to-haves?

It can be very easy to get carried away by everything, yet not everything needs deciding upon and investing in right at the beginning. For example, although a website is an incredibly effective way of marketing yourself, some of the most successful training consultants we know don’t even have a website! So, only buy the essentials you need to run your business – and save the rest for when you have more cash.

Suitable Reading For:
Anyone considering becoming a freelance trainer.

Article Overview:
Having considered organisational issues in her previous article, A Desk too Far?: The Case for Remote Working, Marieke Guy takes a look at the many technologies that support remote working, from broadband to Web 2.0 social networking tools.

Opening Words:
My previous article A Desk Too Far?: The Case for Remote Working explored the cultural background to remote working, reasons why people might choose to work from home and some of the challenges that face them and their host organisations. This article will consider both the technology that facilitates remote working and the tools that can support remote workers by enabling them to carry out the tasks that they need to do.

Useful Reading For:
Anyone managing a remote team, or working or contemplating working remotely.

Article Overview:
Ever wondered what a ‘Business Coach’ actually does? This article from Sheila Williams will help you understand what they do and what they can do for you.

Opening Words:
There I am, sitting around a table at a breakfast networking meeting for owners of small businesses. The other seven are looking earnestly at me.

“So, Sheila, what’s your line of business then?”

“I’m a business coach.”

There’s a pause.

“Is that like you give advice to people, tell them how to run the business better?”

“Er no…” I start to say.

Useful Reading For:
Anyone who'd like to have a better understanding of the role of a business coach.